Daijiworld Media Network – Satara
Satara, Oct 24: In a shocking incident that has sparked outrage across Maharashtra, a woman doctor allegedly ended her life at a district hospital in Satara on Thursday night after being raped and harassed by a police sub-inspector for months.
The victim, who was working as a medical officer at Phaltan Sub-District Hospital, left a chilling note written on her left palm, directly naming Police Sub-Inspector (SI) Gopal Badne as the reason for her death. “Police inspector Gopal Badne is the reason I died. He raped me four times. He subjected me to rape, mental and physical abuse for more than five months,” the note read.
Badne has since been suspended following the orders of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Sources said he is currently absconding and a search team has been deployed to trace him.
Months before her death, the doctor had reportedly approached the authorities for help. In a letter dated June 19 and addressed to the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Phaltan Sub-Divisional Office, she accused three officers of the Phaltan Rural Police Department — SI Gopal Badne, Sub-Divisional Police Inspector Patil, and Assistant Police Inspector Ladputre — of harassment. She had urged that “the serious matter be investigated and appropriate action be taken against the guilty officers.”
Her death has triggered a political storm in Maharashtra, with opposition parties blaming the government for its alleged failure to protect the victim despite her earlier complaint.
“When the protector becomes the predator! The duty of the police is to protect, but if they themselves exploit a female doctor, how will justice be served? Why was no action taken when she had earlier complained?” said Congress leader Vijay Namdevrao Wadettiwar, hitting out at the Mahayuti government. He demanded that the accused officers be dismissed immediately to prevent interference in the investigation.
Reacting to the incident, BJP leader and State Women President Chitra Wagh called it “unfortunate” and assured that the accused would be arrested soon. “The process to register an FIR is underway. One of the accused is outside Satara and a team has been formed to arrest him. Everything will be investigated. I appeal to women not to take such extreme steps and use the 112 helpline for help,” she said.
NCP leader Anand Paranjape also condemned the incident and sought strict action. “There will be zero tolerance for atrocities against women. Teams have been sent to arrest the accused, and the strictest punishment should follow,” he said.
The Maharashtra State Commission for Women has taken suo motu cognizance of the case and directed the police to investigate the alleged inaction on the victim’s previous complaint. “The Superintendent of Police, Satara, has been instructed to urgently search for the absconding accused and conduct a thorough probe,” the commission said in a statement.
It also questioned why the doctor did not receive help despite alerting authorities earlier, calling for “strict action against those responsible for negligence and inaction.”
The victim’s body has been sent for autopsy, and the investigation into the case is underway.